Download Numbers Confirm What Many Suspected About Google Pixel

Based on the download numbers for Google’s Pixel Launcher, it looks like Google’s first branded effort in the smartphone space has been a strong one – even if its still far short of Samsung and Apple.

The app, available exclusively for the Google Pixel, is now listed in the Google Play store as having between 1,000,000 and 5,000,000 installs.

This lines up nicely with previous reports by HTC, who are said to have shipped 2.1 million units of the Pixel and Pixel XL since launch.

Google launched the Pixel in September last year to critical acclaim. However, that success hasn’t deterred rampant speculation on how Google will build on the range in 2017.

Reports this week say that a new XXL variant will be added to the range (and the old Pixel XL retired) and that Google may be recruiting LG to build the device over HTC (who manufactured last year’s model).

The follow-up devices are expected to release between August and October this year in order to coincide with the release of the Android O software update.